RUKUNGIRI — Uganda Law Society (ULS) leaders have today visited the family of Sam Mugumya, who was allegedly abducted by security personnel last year, following a viral video that reignited public concern over his whereabouts.
A delegation led by ULS Vice President Asiimwe Anthony, accompanied by the Society’s Treasurer, Secretary, and other council members, travelled to Rukungiri District to meet Mugumya’s mother, Edinansi Katungwesi.
Mrs Katungwesi told the team that she has lived in fear for nearly a year without any information about her son’s whereabouts. “I am so worried. I don’t know whether my son is alive or dead,” Mrs Katungwesi said, her voice breaking. “Someone just called me and told me that my son had been abducted by security personnel. They found him having tea in a restaurant. He had committed no offence, and no one in the village had any issue with Sam. Let God, who gave me this son, return him to me.”
She said Sam went missing on July 26, 2025. A video that circulated on social media last week deepened her distress.
“I was deeply hurt after seeing the video circulating on social media,” she added. “I thank the Uganda Law Society for coming. I ask the government to help release him, or if he has committed an offence, let him be tried in court.”
ULS Pledges Action
Speaking after the meeting, ULS Vice President Asiimwe Anthony said the Society had been approached by the family and would pursue the matter until it is resolved.
“The mother reached out to the Uganda Law Society to help establish Sam Mugumya’s whereabouts,” Asiimwe said. “As ULS, we will do our best to help this mother find her son, dead or alive.”
He said the disappearance violates fundamental constitutional rights.
“We call upon whoever is responsible to respect human dignity and the rule of law and to release Sam Mugumya. If he committed any offence, let him be produced before a court of law because he has rights. Keeping him incommunicado is unacceptable.”
Asiimwe added that ULS is also calling for the release of other political detainees who are allegedly being held without trial.
According to information gathered by ULS, Sam Mugumya was allegedly abducted by military personnel in a “drone” vehicle in July last year.
Family and Political Leaders Join Call
Mugyeni Gashom, the PFF Electoral Commissioner for Rukungiri District and Sam’s uncle, accompanied the ULS delegation.
“Together with the Uganda Law Society, we visited Sam’s mother to demand that he be produced in court immediately,” Gashom said. “I condemn the practice of security personnel abducting people and holding them in unknown locations. I urge the government, through ULS, to help ensure that Sam Mugumya is produced before court.”
What Happens Next
The Uganda Law Society says it will file formal inquiries with the relevant authorities and follow up with the courts and security agencies to establish Mugumya’s whereabouts and status.
For now, a mother in Rukungiri continues to wait.
“I just want to know,” Mrs Katungwesi said. “Dead or alive, let me know where my child is.”
